OFFICER CLEARED IN SHOOTING, RETURNED TO DUTIES

Police Chief John Karangekis has cleared the officer who was involved in last month's shooting of a Wallingford man.

Officer Mark Poisson was allowed to resume his regular duties Tuesday afternoon. An internal investigation into the shooting of Matthew Pyers, who survived, recommended that Poisson be cleared.

Karangekis, who was unavailable for comment Wednesday, had the final say. He cleared Poisson after reviewing the report.

"They determined that the shooting was within departmental policy because an officer's life was in danger," Lt. John Salvatore said.

Poisson shot Pyers in the abdomen March 23 when Pyers continued advancing toward Poisson and another officer. Pyers was allegedly carrying a large champagne bottle and threatening to kill the officers.

The shooting took place after police stopped Pyers, who was wanted by Meriden police. Before being stopped, Pyers had evaded at least one police pursuit and had rammed a Newington cruiser from behind, police said.

Pyers, 19, has not been arrested yet because he is being treated for psychological problems, according to Lt. James Cetran. But police have prepared a warrant and have been promised by Pyers' attorney that they will be alerted when he finishes treatment, Cetran said.

Once Pyers is released, he will be charged with two counts of attempted second-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment, threatening, second-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving, evading responsibility, engaging police in pursuit and operation of a motor vehicle while intoxicated.

An internal investigation is standard procedure when an officer discharges a firearm. The shooting was the first time a Wethersfield officer fired a weapon since 1982. Officers are trained to shoot only when they or another person are in imminent danger of being seriously injured or killed, police have said.